American country singer and guitarist Ray Price, known for hits such as Crazy Arms and Release Me, has died after ending cancer treatment
Ray Price, the country singer, has died aged 87 Photo: AP
Ray Price, the country musician behind songs including Crazy Arms and Release Me, has died aged 87. Price decided to end the treatment he had been receiving for pancreatic cancer on Thursday, and passed away at his ranch in Texas on Monday according to The Washington Post.
Price was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, the disease had reached his liver, lungs and intestines when he ended the treatment.
The singer left a "final message" to his fans, according to his wife, Janie, which read: "I love my fans and have devoted my life to reaching out to them.
I appreciate their support all these years, and I hope I haven't let the down. I am at peace. I love Jesus. I'm going to be just fine. Don't worry about me. I'll see you again one day."
Price, who was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996, released his last album, Last of the Breed, in 2007. It was a collaboration with Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson, with whom he formed his band the Cherokee Cowboys in the Fifties, giving Nelson a break in the industry. Price went on to tour with Haggard and Nelson in 2007 when he was 82, and won his second Grammy Award the next year.
Price was still working late into his life, telling Rolling Stone Magazine earlier this month that ""I just like what I've done and how it's worked out, and it's been great. I haven't lost my voice, thank God for that."
However, he is held responsible for rejuvenating the country music genre several decades earlier with his famous "Ray Price Shuffle", an arrangement of honky tonk music with a walking bassline. Crazy Arms, which spent 20 weeks at the top of the Billboard country music chart following its release in 1956, was a prime example of Price's innovative style.
Earlier in the Fifties Price found fame with Release Me, written by Eddie Miller, Robert Yount and James Pebworth in 1946, to which he lent his signature 4/4 shuffle.
Between 1958 and 1973 Price had seven number one hits. However, while he maintained that he had a popular style, saying "I sang ballads, sort of laid-back", the musician paved the way in bringing electronic instruments and drums to country music.
He was not, however, unaware of the rarity of his career longevity. In 2012 Price took to Facebook to repond to 37-year-old country music singer Blake Shelton, who dismissed classic country musicians as "old farts" and "jackasses".
"You should be so lucky as us old-timers", Price retorted in capital letters. "Check back in 63 years (the year 2075) and let us know how your name and your music will be remembered."
However, he is held responsible for rejuvenating the country music genre several decades earlier with his famous "Ray Price Shuffle", an arrangement of honky tonk music with a walking bassline. Crazy Arms, which spent 20 weeks at the top of the Billboard country music chart following its release in 1956, was a prime example of Price's innovative style.
Earlier in the Fifties Price found fame with Release Me, written by Eddie Miller, Robert Yount and James Pebworth in 1946, to which he lent his signature 4/4 shuffle.
Between 1958 and 1973 Price had seven number one hits. However, while he maintained that he had a popular style, saying "I sang ballads, sort of laid-back", the musician paved the way in bringing electronic instruments and drums to country music.
He was not, however, unaware of the rarity of his career longevity. In 2012 Price took to Facebook to repond to 37-year-old country music singer Blake Shelton, who dismissed classic country musicians as "old farts" and "jackasses".
"You should be so lucky as us old-timers", Price retorted in capital letters. "Check back in 63 years (the year 2075) and let us know how your name and your music will be remembered."
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